Why should people Shop around for Medicare coverage, as plans change every year?
Denise Weakland was startled to open her mail recently and find out that her Medicare monthly premium soon would be increased significantly. Beginning in January, Weakland will pay $248 a month for her Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Medicare Advantage plan — nearly double her current $142 a-month payment. Weakland, 67, of Garden City expects to stay for now with her plan, but she’s looking around. And that’s a good idea, Medicare specialists say, because Medicare plans change so much each year. Faced with climbing drug and medical costs and new Medicare rules, insurers like Blue Cross are dropping some coverage options, changing benefits and raising prices, while lowering some monthly premiums for other Medicare plans. Changes in Michigan Medicare plans include: • The elimination of some of the state’s biggest private-fee-for-service Medicare Advantage plans. Some 40,000 seniors in two Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Medicare Advantage plans have to find new coverage. Humana, A
Denise Weakland was startled to open her mail recently and find out that her Medicare monthly premium soon would be increased significantly. Denise Weakland was startled to open her mail recently and find out that her Medicare monthly premium soon would be increased significantly. Beginning in January, Weakland will pay $248 a month for her Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Medicare Advantage plan — nearly double her current $142 a-month payment. Weakland, 67, of Garden City expects to stay for now with her plan, but she’s looking around. And that’s a good idea, Medicare specialists say, because Medicare plans change so much each year. Faced with climbing drug and medical costs and new Medicare rules, insurers like Blue Cross are dropping some coverage options, changing benefits and raising prices, while lowering some monthly premiums for other Medicare plans. Changes in Michigan Medicare plans include: • The elimination of some of the state’s biggest private-fee-for-service Medicare
Denise Weakland was startled to open her mail recently and find out that her Medicare monthly premium soon would be increased significantly. Beginning in January, Weakland will pay $248 a month for her Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Medicare Advantage plan — nearly double her current $142 a-month payment. Sources: http://www.freep.
